Before there was a Neville, there was Cody Rhodes, Sami Callihan and CJ Parker (now Juice Robinson). Along a different vein, there was Ryback. There are also the confusing tales of Colt Cabana, Ivelisse Velez, and Chris Hero (since remedied as Kassius Ohno). These are all names of now independent wrestlers who either walked away […]
Tag: santana garrett
LIVE EVENTS: Dear Mae Young Classic – Please Learn from Cruiserweight Classic Missteps
As the curtain about to lift on the inaugural Mae Young Classic, it’s important to realize how important this event truly is. And not for reasons you might think. This isn’t about participant list. The WWE assembled a virtual ‘who’s who’ in the indy wrestling women’s circuit (sans those with firm commitments to other promotions). […]
SPOTLIGHTS: Fans Pay the Bills – A Lesson for ‘The Wrestling Renaissance’
In the early 15th Century, Cosimo Medici, patriarch of his famed Italian family, rose to prominence in Florence. He did so via his skills as its preeminent banker, a gift equaled only by his savvy in politics. What Medici is arguably best known for is how he spent much of his wealth. His love and patronage […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 37 – A Haphazard Recap, or “Rain, Rain, Go Away”
Disclaimer: this is not in order by any means. Rather stream of consciousness. First things first: I’m admittedly a bit shocked this event happened, period. Hurricane Hermine had just said ‘howdy’ less than twelve hours earlier, and was still roaring its way up the East Coast. As could be expected, some of the talent and […]
SPOTLIGHTS: Why I Love Heels
Since returning to wrestling fandom a few years ago, I’ve wondered why I always prefer watching heels versus baby-faces or tweeners. This has been with me since childhood, when I always rooted for the ‘bad guys’ to triumph, even just momentarily, and was always left disappointed by their inevitable downfall. Part of me thinks I […]
WRESTLING 101: End the Squash Match
We live in wrestling nirvana. Legendary athletes stand ready and willing to display wares in developmental leagues, seeming mainstays of particular promotions and countries now anything but. Simultaneously, the best and brightest of indy circuits bop around the country for all star matches almost nightly. Thus, one would almost have to try to avoid a […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 31 – It’s Good to be a Gangsta’
After missing what we heard what was a spectacular Shine 30, The Intercontinental Belt and I were back for Shine 31 at the Orpheum in Ybor City, Florida. A newfound union between Valkyrie and Valifornia paid BIG dividends tonight, sealing their fate as the now-dominant group in Shine. These ladies ripped apart their competition, showing […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 29: When Stables Collide
Welcome to Shine 29! This was by far one of the best nights of wrestling I’ve seen live. The heat between Valifornia and Valkyrie was infectious and not lost on an equally hot and highly appreciative crowd. This was Shine’s coming out party, and to all the uninitiated: you are missing out on some seriously […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine 28 – A Night of Surprises
During the worst weather possible, rain, hail, lightning and flooding, Shine 28 delivered an array of surprises, smack downs and celebrations in YBor City, Florida at the Orpheum Theater. Three and a half hours later I was left tired and grateful to be witness to some of the oddest and most creative wrestling I’ve seen […]
LIVE EVENTS: Shine Wrestling 27 – A Female Fan’s Take
This is my first time actually writing anything other than a comment on a Wrestling blog. I don’t normally do this; because honestly I don’t really think I have all that much to say that anyone wants to hear. This isn’t me being humble, I’m just more of a listener than an opinion giver. But […]
WRESTLING IN FLORIDA: An Insider Look at Professional Wrestling 